New Member and BG380 Q

[Tailwind]

Hiya all, new member here from AK.
I've got a tried and true airweight 637 I love, and just picked up a BG.380.
I really like it so far, The trigger(DA) is exceptional.
I did notice when shooting in 5 below zero the laser does not work properly.
Any thoughts on these new Smith pocket pistols?
Ammo suggestions and tips would be great.

btw:my big bores are Rugers, for those wondering why I don't have a 29.

 

[Pokerstar]

When you say the laser does not work properly what do you mean? Is it that the buttons are hard to press? Does it not turn on? Please be a bit more specific and we will be glad to help.

 

[Tailwind]

No prob. It gets extremely dim, like the battery is way low, but it works fine at intermediate and warm temps?

 

[rooster59]

In Texas extremely low would be 25dF. Your batteries may be weaker at -25dF. Make sure there is no oil/water/condensation on the laser glass.

 

[Tailwind]

In Texas extremely low would be 25dF. Your batteries may be weaker at -25dF. Make sure there is no oil/water/condensation on the laser glass.

Glass was clean and I don't get any moisture near the laser, not even for cleaning. It's a good laser otherwise, just gets dim in extreme temps for no good reason. I'll post if I can figure it out. It's not a big a deal, I bought the smith for take down lever and slide stop. The laser was icing on the top!

 

[Tailwind]

I went to the range and my elevation screw on the laser was missing?
I will be sending to gun off to Smith for a new laser. I will post how my experience goes...hopefully good.

 

[Goffman]

Glass was clean and I don't get any moisture near the laser, not even for cleaning. It's a good laser otherwise, just gets dim in extreme temps for no good reason. I'll post if I can figure it out. It's not a big a deal, I bought the smith for take down lever and slide stop. The laser was icing on the top!

Could be that the batteries are in the latter stage of their life. My understanding (which is admittedly limited) is that voltage output drops as batteries reach the end of their usable life, and cold temperatures cause a further drop in voltage output. The combination could leave your laser working on low power. I noticed this the other day with the garage door opener in my wife's car. It worked fine in warm temperatures, but was sporadic in cold temperatures, especially when backing out of the garage in the morning (when the interior temperature of the car was lowest). I had never replaced the battery, so presumably it was at the end of its life, and the cold temperatures were inhibiting the last bit of voltage that the battery could eke out when warm. Coming home from an outing, the garage door opener seemed to work fine (although perhaps weak in terms of transmission distance), presumably because the interior temperature of the car had been raised and, with it, the temperature of the battery in the garage door opener.

 

[pedropcola]

I think SW will take good care of you. That being said, they didn't think this out very well. I am surprised at the disassembly latch ejections and the laser could have been improved VERY easily. It sounds like the disassembly pin has been fixed. They haven't really fixed the laser issues but luckily most of that can be "home remedied". Two things should be done on the factory level. The buttons should come with a stiff plastic insert so the buttons work EVERY time you actuate them. People worry about inadvertent actuation, who cares? Read the manual, it has an automatic 5 minute turn off. These lasers use very little power and the batteries are fairly cheap. I did the Q tip fix on mine and now it works every time like it should have come from the factory. They should send extra buttons because they do peel off easily. Not a problem now because SW is sending out free buttons but what is to stop them from charging $5 a pair? The other big issue (not yet but I think it will be over time) is that they used the smallest possible hex screw ever. Every time I removed the laser to dick with the buttons to make them work the wrench would flex and I would worry about stripping the screws. Make them slightly larger and up to the task of multiple removals over time. My two cents. Good news for me is I love the actual BG design and the laser is just a useful add on and not a necessity.

 

[Tailwind]

They are sending me a couple new screws. If that doesn't work, back to the factory for a new laser. To be honest, I wish I got a j-frame.